The "China-Singapore Exercise Cooperation 2025" joint maritime exercise kicked off at Changi Naval Base in Singapore on Friday, aiming to further enhance mutual trust and understanding between the two navies.
The joint exercise is taking place at Changi Naval Base and its surrounding waters.
The Chinese Navy's Xuchang, a Type 054A missile frigate, and Chishui, a Type 082II minehunter and minesweeper, are participating in the joint exercise following their appearance at the International Maritime Defense Exhibition (IMDEX) Asia 2025, one of the most influential defense events in Asia that concluded Thursday at Singapore's Changi Exhibition Center.
Singapore has deployed frigate RSS Steadfast and mine countermeasure vessel RSS Bedok.
During the drill, the two navies will conduct a series of drill subjects, including navigating through mine-threat areas, naval gunfire drills against targets at sea, joint search and rescue missions, and medical evacuation exercises.
"The joint exercise is organized in three phases, namely the harbor phase, the sea phase and the closing ceremony. After the opening ceremony, we will carry out ship visits, professional exchanges, and sports competitions during the harbor phase to further enhance mutual trust and understanding between the two sides," said Yang Peng, an officer aboard the Xuchang frigate.
China, Singapore kicks off joint maritime exercise
Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said on Monday that the situation in Iran is "under total control" following violence linked to protests that spiked over the weekend.
Addressing foreign diplomats in Tehran, the foreign minister noted that armed terrorist groups had infiltrated the protests, attempting to divert them from their legitimate course. He claimed that evidence has been gathered showing Iranian security forces being shot at, with the aim of causing further casualties. He accused the United States and Israel of exploiting the unrest to interfere in Iran's internal affairs.
Araghchi further stated that the government is closely monitoring developments on the streets, emphasizing that "the situation has come under control." He also affirmed that internet services, curtailed during the unrest, would be restored after coordination with security agencies.
The government has engaged in dialogue with merchants and protest representatives and initiated reforms to address grievances related to price hikes and currency depreciation. Iran has taken a series of actions and measures to respond to the demands of peaceful demonstrators, the foreign minister said.
Earlier on Sunday, Araghchi said that clear evidence links recent riots and vandalism of public facilities in Iran to the Israeli intelligence agency Mossad. This came after former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo mentioned Mossad agents operating on Iran's streets in a social media post. The Iranian foreign minister asserted that police are being attacked by "terrorists" acting under the direction of Israeli operatives, whom Pompeo publicly acknowledged.
The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and U.S. sanctions.
Iranian foreign minister says situation "fully under control," accuses Israeli intelligence of stoking unrest
